I think it is essential to live the mission statement of your organization. Ours is “Understand your needs to Provide solutions that Achieve results ... UPA.” This is what we strive for day-in and day-out. I first listen and imagine I’m the lenses of my clients’ eye glasses, because I want to be able to view the world as they see it. With that understanding, I utilize our firm’s resources to assess their situation and provide advice on how to reach their goals. Finally, I analyze and continually scrutinize their activities and results, so we can make adjustments for any new or unforeseen developments.

What are your strongest business traits?

Understanding the importance of listening to people. I think seeking to understand our clients’ and team members’ needs before attempting to be understood is extremely important and promotes good communication. It’s not easy, but I try and view every scenario from my client’s (external and internal) perspective and, in doing this, understand their position and outlook, which is imperative when setting and working towards achieving goals. Another trait is my appetite for risk. I am always up for challenges and taking risks, though they are calculated and thought-out risks …

What is your company’s greatest asset?

At ACG, our team members and their support system are our greatest assets. Our Partners and HR Director have created a well-rounded system training. We are provided a variety of areas in which to specialize or grow our overall knowledge base to become better professionals. Our team also has great opportunities for advancement within the firm. This allows our employees to continually grow in their careers and provide premier service to our clients!

What do you look for in prospective employees?

People who demonstrate they can identify a situation, consider all factors and stakeholders, reason through the issue, and arrive at a mindful decision on how to approach and negotiate the situation—it's a fundamental quality. We also look for employees who value our “internal” clients, which is every team member in the firm. You must be a team player because we serve our external clients as a team and every member of the “starting 9” is valuable and essential to our success.

How would you define your position within the marketplace or within your market segment?

ACG has a substantial presence and market share throughout the State. We are the third largest CPA firm, and the only one physically present in six cities throughout New Mexico. Each of our offices is known as the right size for its community—providing top level knowledge normally not found in some of those areas. We have an accessible group of knowledgeable CPAs, and our clients know we are dedicated to providing solutions for their businesses. We continue to grow every year by our clients' enthusiastic referrals.

How do you maintain your competitive edge?

By taking every step to nurture the relationships I have with current clients. Word spreads, and it can spread fast. Also, I continue to surround myself with knowledgeable peers, a team of professionals that challenge me, keep me accountable and hold my feet to the fire when it comes to our firm’s core values. This develops my skills in order to become a trusted advisor.

What motivates you to succeed besides the desire to make money?

I am motivated to succeed by becoming an example for my kids; showing them that discipline, hard work, client service (no matter what profession) and living your life by principles will lead to success both professionally and personally.

What words of wisdom would you offer to someone starting their own business?

Get yourself a trusted team of advisors that can help you make decisions along the way. A member of that team must be a CPA that understands the big things and the little things that you must be aware of, and how to advise you about the pros and cons and rewards and risks of issues and challenges your business faces.

What do you think is the biggest obstacle in operating a successful business?

Having a limited amount of resources from which to operate. Whether it be finances, IT, time, or employees there is usually a need for more or better resources and that can create challenges to overcome.

What inspires you?

My wife inspires me because she is also a CPA; every day I learn something from her that makes me a better person, Daddy, friend, or accountant. Not so much the latter because she is the better half at everything except for that (please omit this sentence in the printed issue she reads, thx Alibi).

What contributions to the community (charitable or otherwise) are you most proud of?

I am most proud of a firm-wide event that I took part in organizing. We closed our offices for a day and served at several not-for-profit organizations, reading to and playing with homeless children, cleaning at a food bank, reading to adolescent cancer patients, and cutting bamboo at the Albuquerque Zoo.

What is your favorite saying or quotation?

“Do unto others as they would want done to themselves.” You must seek to see the world in your clients’ eyes to fully understand their needs, and then you can develop strategies and solutions to help them become successful.